The Fall of Adam (p.b.u.h)*: A Comparative Analysis on, “The Original Sin” 

By: Hanif Mohamed

      Some of the most heated debates in the religious circles centers around man’s supposed need for a Savior, the assumption that God needs a mediator between man and Himself, and maybe the most contested debate of all deals with the concept of the original sin (the idea that all men are inherent sinners because of Adam’s sin). All of these debates stem from this “original sin ideology”. I can’t begin to understand why this irrational idea would have such a great following. This idea states that when Adam and Eve disobeyed God they caused all humans to be damned, and none of us were there to partake in the act of disobedience. Their argument is that because Adam is the father of the human race we inherit his sin. If my father robs a bank will I inherit the title of bank robber, would any rational person hold me responsible for my father’s actions? No! And if anyone did say that I was responsible it would be said of this person, “he is unjust”. Now, it should go without saying that we can never equate anybody or anything with God, but by accepting this ideology we are saying that humans are more just than God. (God Forbid). For God to hold all humans liable for Adam’s sin is unjust. How can this be when God says that he is Adl ¹, the Just?

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The Fast of Ashura

By Aneela Sultan. 

Narrated: Abdullah Ibn Abbas:  The Prophet came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, "This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day." The Prophet said, "We have more claim over Moses than you." So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day).  

Reference : Sahih al Bukhari Vol 3 Hadith 222 

Let us analyse and contemplate on whether this Hadith is Sahih or not. Let us bear in mind the words of Allah when He states: 

“Do they not consider the Qur’ān?  Had it been from other than Allāh they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.” Qur’an 4:82 

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Jihad: Struggle Against One’s Self or Holy War?

By: Hanif Mohamed

      When most people hear the word jihad the first thing that comes to mind is Holy War by Muslims against all non-Muslims. Is this the actual meaning of jihad, or has this term been misused? How was jihad defined by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)¹, the prophet of Islam? How has jihad been used by Muslims after the death of Muhammad (pbuh)? Has the media presented the Islamic or an alternative meaning of jihad to the public? Is jihad the struggle against one’s self or is it holy war? One fifth of the human population² has taken Islam as their way of life and it is very important that the real concept of jihad in Islam is presented in its truest form. Jihad means struggle and the greatest struggle is against the self.

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Matam

By Aneela Sultan 

Matam is a physical action, which does not have only one cause.  
 
Matam can be observed when there is an objection against the zulm (injustice) of innocent souls. (Owais Qarni knocked out all his teeth on hearing that the Prophet (pbuh) had lost his tooth in the battle of Uhud)  
 
It can be observed when an individual objects to an action, which he/she has committed against their own soul. (An incident has been narrated in the Muwatta of Imam Malik in regards to a man who started beating his breast due to having relations with his spouse one day, within the Holy month of Ramadhan)  

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The people of the “Return”. - Part 1 of 3

By: Ali Ja’afary

Introduction

I have come to realise in the past few years that the perception of Islam and its faithful Muslims is greatly misunderstood, by not only the western societies and their many different ideology, but in fact is greatly misunderstood by our own brethren. Since this situation saddens me greatly and is perhaps one of the main factors in many of the adversities we face by the different societies surrounding us, I have decided to write this brief study on the issue of our true identity. By the Power and Guidance of ALLAH (swt) I hope not only to offer a proper portrait of the essence of the faithful believers in Islam to these diverse societies, but also to refresh our own minds and hearts with the true beauty and love of Islam.

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“Our Behaviour”

By: Brother Ali Ja’afary.

بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَن الرَّحيم

Foreword: 

I have been working on a rather large and elaborate study about the problems facing Islam today and the viruses that seem to be affecting it in many different areas, such a study is certainly not feasible to present as an article, for it touches a great number of detailed points and scientific terms which can be at times a rather long and boring read for those who prefer getting information in an easy and more interesting format. However, I did manage to take out from that project, a chapter that I felt is of great importance and that would fill the specifications of an article, may ALLAH the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious strengthen my weak heart and guide me, and eliminate my inadequate understanding of this task.

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The Parent and Child Relationship

By: Hanif Mohamed

Introduction: I was asked to deliver a speech to the youth at my father’s church. Alhamdulillah, I was raised as a Christian and reverted back to Islam in 1991. I felt like this was a good opportunity to show Christians that we are well versed with the Bible and that we all share the same concerns. Insha' Allah for Muslims that don’t know anything about the Bible or Christian teachings this will be a good place to show how The Bible and The Qur’an agrees on the subject of the parent and child relationship. This is only one subject where we agree and there are many more. This speech was addressed to Christians but its message is universal. Insha' Allah, it will be well received by all. 

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IMAM HASAN (A-S) - A Purified and Infallible vicegerent of ALLAH (swt).

By: Brother Ali Ja’afary. 

INTRODUCTION: 

As history has often taught us, there are many lessons in life that come about in important events. Some events live in the hearts and minds of nations for century after century, and some very significant and most important events will live in the hearts and minds of mankind until Doomsday. Usually these kinds of events have either a very intellectual, divine and spiritual essence to them, or they are of inhumane atrocities and tragedies, that shocked the human race and many of the most remembered events contain both. 

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TO TURN TO ALLAH (swt) IS FREEDOM FROM THE CHAINS OF IGNORANCE. - PART TWO. 

A brief study by: Brother Ali Ja’afary. 

INTRODUCTION: 

My breath is completely cut off when I think of how much time I wasted. For a large part of my life, I was preoccupied with the most idle and insignificant things. Somehow I always find myself at awe standing at the greatest of doorways, the one which leads to an eternity of wellbeing, happiness, felicity and joy, but above all, the one that leads to our Creator and Lord; ALLAH (swt). The fact is I truly want to leap forward into it and take its responsibilities and its trust, in order to be one of the “true believers”: “And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; as for these, their striving shall surely be accepted”. (The Glorious Qur’an 17 Al-Isrā’-19), however, I find my wretchedness to overcome me,  I turn away from this most important step, my lack of faith fills my polluted heart with foolish fear and I continue to be a Muslim by theory only, far from  essence of the “true believer”.  

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Tawheed: Monotheism

By: Hanif Mohamed

Introduction

Tawheed, monotheism is the belief in one god. In Islam it is the belief in Allah, the one true god. The basis of monotheism in Islam can be seen in the Qur’an where Allah says, “Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.” (HQ21: 25). This idea is the basis of Islam. The purpose of writing this composition is to try to show Muslims and non-Muslims alike that there are many signs that point to monotheism. We will show that man has an innate desire to seek out his Lord. We will also show how nature points to monotheism and also how science and technology has helped man to see the oneness of Allah. It is my hope that this composition is easily understood and will help the readers to have a better understanding of Tawheed. 

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